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Renew your relationship with biblical texts by not only reading, studying, and praying outside of Mass but also choosing a modern Bible translation that is right for you.
Choosing and What Catholics Should Know If you are like many people, the Bible is at once an old friend and a stranger. You recognize it easily, as you would an old friend, and trust it as a companion. You know that it contains a record of God's sacred word to humanity. You take comfort in knowing that you can pick it up at any time and find something in it of value. Yet go into a bookstore to buy a Bible and most Catholics are somewhat at a loss. There are so many choices, even in a Catholic bookstore! And if some of your friends or neighbors include non-Catholics you'll see all sorts of Bible versions from one family to another. What does such a variety mean? Where did the versions come from? In this Update we'll take a look at some of the issues involved in choosing the right Bible for yourself. We'll also try to give good background information on the many versions available today. And we'll also provide some tips on using your Bible for study and prayer. A family tradition Many people have a Bible in their home. Sometimes the Bible is a family heirloom. Perhaps grandparents or great-grandparents had a family Bible that passes from generation to generation. Often people record in their Bibles important family events, especially the dates of weddings, funerals, Baptisms and the like. While these are family keepsakes, the particular translation of the Bible may not be suitable for contemporary Bible study and prayer. The reason for this judgment lies in the nature of language. The Bible was written originally in Hebrew and Greek. Obviously, for most of us to access the Bible we must use translations. The King James Version of the Bible (Authorized Version) is the most common authoritative translation in use by many Protestants. The difficulty is that this 16th-century translation is woefully outdated. Not only do we no longer speak the style of English employed in this translation, but also biblical scholarship has advanced considerably in the knowledge of the ancient biblical languages to warrant new translations. Many Catholics in earlier decades also relied on an older edition of the Bible, the Douay-Rheims translation, based upon the Latin translation (the Vulgate) that at one time was the only official Catholic edition of the Bible. It, too, is out of date and the names of some of the Old Testament books may be confusing. If some of you are still relying upon one of these or another older Bible edition, I recommend that you buy a newer edition. People frequently ask me, "Which is the best translation?" My response is to ask, in turn, "For what purpose?" You see, there is no best edition as such. It depends on what use you want to make of the Bible. SPONSORED LINKS
 Choosing the right Bible Which version is the best for you? It depends on whether you want it primarily for prayer, for study, for Sunday school classes, to take to Church to follow the sermon or for other purposes. Any of the listed translations would do, though you will likely hear only one translation, the New American Bible, proclaimed during Mass. Like people, the translations come in different sizes and shapes. Some are hardback, some are paperback. Some, that we can call study Bibles, are large with supplementary notes, cross-references or comments, and others are pocket editions. They can be found in most bookstores. Rather than recommending a specific Bible, I provide (see box below, "Modern Bible Translations") the most common editions currently available. You do not need to have an expensive edition. Bibles with gilded edges and suave leather covers are lovely as gifts but are not essential to Bible prayer or study. Most important is having a modern edition of the Bible that makes you comfortable. If you feel you can handle a study Bible edition, it will be a bit thicker and heavier, but it will also contain lots of other information that you will find helpful for more intensive Bible study. Some Tips for Reading, Praying Reading your Bible
Don't begin at the beginning or end. Begin with the familiar. For Christians the New Testament is a better place to start than the Old Testament. Perhaps begin with Mark, the shortest Gospel, or the letters of Paul. Do not start with the Book of Revelation, a complex and symbolic book. Read sections rather than sentences. The Bible will make more sense if you pay attention to sections that are grouped together. Read aloud. Everyone used to do it, especially when the books of the Bible were written. The Bible was meant to be heard—it originated as an oral tradition. Reading aloud involves you more completely than reading silently. Studying your Bible
Read the introductions. Most Bibles have introductions added by the editors, and they will prepare you for what comes next. Read the introduction first! Read the footnotes. The Bible often contains material that is very foreign to our world. Customs, terms, symbolic names, etc., often require explanation. The footnotes are there for everyone, not just for scholars. Use the cross-references. Most Bibles place these references to other biblical passages in the footnotes or on the side of the page. Often New Testament passages contain quotations or allusions to Old Testament passages. These cross-references will help you further understand what you are studying. This takes some time, but your reward will be a richer understanding of the text. Be flexible in your interpretations. You don't need to be afraid of misinterpreting the Bible if you remember that your interpretation is not necessarily the interpretation. This is especially good in a group setting: Sharing ideas about Bible passages is a wonderful way of studying the Bible, especially when you remain open to further guidance about your views. The ideal group would have a leader with some professional experience, or who has taken time to carefully learn and prepare a historical or scientific perspective. Praying your Bible outside of Mass
Invoke the Holy Spirit. Every time you sit down to pray with the Bible I suggest you begin with a brief prayer to call upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Something as simple as "Come, Holy Spirit, be my guide as I try to understand this word" reminds us that we need to surrender to God in order to understand the Word properly. Choose a passage to reflect on. Working through the whole book of the Bible prayerfully is more effective than random interpretations. Another way of doing this is to pray along with the lectionary selections for the upcoming Sunday Mass. That can help you prepare to hear the Word more fruitfully when it is proclaimed and preached upon the following Sunday. In three years' time, you'll have prayed along with most of the Bible! Read the passage once through fully. Getting the big picture first helps you understand each section or passage better. Read each section of the passage slowly. Slow, meditative reading is an ancient Christian practice known as lectio divina. Sitting with the text, mulling over its words and phrases and soaking in its images or themes, truly brings one to a prayerful understanding. Let the words sink in, and you will feel yourself in the presence of God. Use your imagination. Although this approach may not work for every passage, it can be very prayerful for some. Imagine yourself in the text. Where are you? Are there characters with whom you identify? Do you see yourself in any actions? Reread the entire passage. Once you have spent time reflecting on some sections of a passage, reread it in its entirety. Though some parts may have spoken to you more clearly, this exercise will help you remember to keep the section in context. Conclude with a prayer of thanksgiving. Thank God for the gift of the Word as you conclude your prayer exercise. It is God's Word that gives us life.
Ronald D. Witherup is a priest of the Society of St. Sulpice (S.S.). He is formerly Academic Dean and Professor at St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park, California. He is currently provincial of the U.S. Province of Sulpicians in Baltimore, Maryland. This Update is adapted from his book The Bible Companion: A Handbook for Beginners (Crossroad, 1998). His other books include Biblical Fundamentalism: What Every Catholic Should Know (Liturgical Press, 2001) and, most recently, 101 Questions & Answers on Paul (Paulist, 2003). NEXT: Seven Secrets of Successful Parishioners (by Paul Wilkes)
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